1st Decat... How do you access the last bolt? (nearest the drivers side)

[bluecoupe46]

Hi all.

 

I've been trying to remove the 1st decat on my Jspec TT auto VVTI for the past 2 nights... I have managed to get one bolt out and have managed to loosen another (which now won't turn very well at all as the bolt seems to have a flat spot in the middle! ).

 

Now... Does anyone have experience of removing the 1st cat? I'm using axle stands so that car isn't very high... I have a universal socket, but the angles that I can attack the last bolt from are too great and just seem that they will snap either the bolt or the universal socket! Is there an 'easy' (well easier) way of doing removing the bolt without having to remove the entire manifold?!?

 

p.s. my exhaust bolts have a torx ending to them which stops the nut from coming off! Which makes it even more of a pain!

 

If I do have to resort to removing the manifold, i'm assuming I would need gasket sealer or new gaskets?

 

Cheers,

Alex

Edited March 2, 2016 by bluecoupe46 (see edit history)

[Glanza_Mike]

I used a long extension and one of them heads on the socket that can twist and move around a bit, i don't know the technical term lol not the easiest but douse it in wd40 first.

[Pudsey]

It's a knuckle.

 

You need to use flat faced sockets (6 point) or you will bugger up the nuts (using a 12 point).

 

Long ones, so they reach over the studs.

 

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSFT0HRjMzedVhZciHEekqY4voqdCuxDgyER9HQFKLsayJ-M-n

Edited March 2, 2016 by Pudsey
Points added. (see edit history)

[bluecoupe46]

Cheers guys! Managed to gain better access to it by removing a plate that was in the way (can't remember what it connected to as it was a couple of days ago!). Now I have the problem of getting the banjo bolt out of the fuel pump assembly as it just keeps turning the whole fuel pump assembly!